Dorchester Mum Warns Of The Dangers Of Meningitis

A Dorchester mother is urging parents to know the symptoms of an illness that's left her son in a wheelchair.

Naomi Hillier's son George was diagnosed with Meningitis when he was 11 months old. He's now 7-years-old but has been severely affected by the life-threatening illness and has various health problems as a result.

Its estimated one in ten who contract the disease will die, with under 5’s being most at risk (figures from Meningitis Research Foundation).

Now Naomi's putting on an awareness and fundraising day for the charity Meningitis Now who she says have really helped her;

"They've given such support to me and the family. Also, they're helping with equipment that George needs, George was getting a lot of chest infections and they provided a sleep system to keep George in a position at night time. Things like this really do help Meningitis victim’s families."

Naomi says George had been a perfectly healthy baby, and due to the rare strain of Meningitis he was diagnosed with, the only symptoms he showed was a virus.

Naomi is holding an event of the 30th August, "If I could have every single parent leaving with a symptoms card, I'd be really happy. I just want people to be aware really, Meningitis can change a whole life within a few hours. It really is something which needs to be recognised."

The day will be held on the Great Field in Poundbury, with face painting, music and more. There will also be a Toddler Waddle at 11am where children will march along dressed as ducklings with Meningitis Now balloons, and George will be taking part.